Liverpool FC 1 - 3 Swansea - Swans dump ex-boss out of League Cup

ON Halloween, Swansea City buried a ghost.And rather than looking back to their past, they made history through the stars of the present as a first win at Anfield in almost half-a-century marked progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time.

On Halloween, Swansea City buried a ghost.And rather than looking back to their past, they made history through the stars of the present as a first win at Anfield in almost half-a-century marked progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time.

Five months to the day that Brendan Rodgers left the Liberty for Liverpool Football Club, eager to replicate Swansea style and success on Merseyside, the club he left behind suggested that the future can remain bright even without a manager described as one of the greatest in their history.

And through goals from Chico, Nathan Dyer and Jonathan de Guzman it was the new man in the Swansea dug-out that earned the rapturous applause from fans as Michael Laudrup took the glory.

Rodgers was not booed or heckled in this first meeting with the club he helped take to the Premier League.

But, when Luis Suarez’s reply was not enough to inspire a home comeback, he was reminded of the job he has to do and the one he left behind.

The chant regarding that his side were just a poor version of Swansea – although not in such pleasant words – was the one that might have made the genial Northern Irishman both smile and squirm.

Yet the Hymns and Arias belted out at the final whistle at the home of You’ll Never Walk Alone was the real signal of a Swansea celebration that, cup game or not, will stick in the memory.

If that said everything about how the fans felt, Laudrup’s players said everything with their performance.

If the cohesion from a strong starting side was to be expected, the defensive display led by captain Ashley Williams was exemplary. The midfield as a whole was inspirational and the attacks, by and large, clinical.

Repeat in the Premier League and points will follow, momentum to be taken into the weekend clash with Chelsea.

But in itself this was a cup moment to cherish in the club’s centenary year – and from a club whose last cup visit here ended in a eight-goal lesson, the FA Cup success in 1964 the only other time to taste victory at this ground.

Never mind who was manager, or is manager, the fans are the constant at any club and it was their night.

And it was a touch of class from them they did not feel the need to boo or jeer their former manager after the game, or when he first ventured from the safety of the dug-out six minutes in. The focus was on the football rather than any sideline sideshow.

For good reason with the way Swansea set about things, the hopefuls at the holders and seeking that place in history.

That did not mean Laudrup did not have a decision to make regarding his team, the visit of European champions Chelsea looming large but seemingly not ominous enough for the manager to make significant changes with only one unenforced change from the weekend.

In contrast, Liverpool fielded only two of those who started their derby draw with Everton, Joe Allen the most obvious.

Perhaps relaxed by the ‘One Joey Allen’ chants of the away fans, it was equally obvious why Rodgers felt the need to play the pass-master from Pembrokeshire. Schooled in the Swansea style but now looking incredibly comfortable in iconic Liverpool red, Allen was both quick on the ball and quick to close down visitors in possession.

But in opposition stood Leon Britton, whose every interception and angle for the relief pass must have left a former boss snarling and a current one smiling.

And while Allen had the ineffective Joe Cole to try and play to, Swansea’s midfield impressed as a collective. With Ki Sung-Yueng driving from every counter set up by Williams’ robust resistance to any whimper of a Liverpool attack.

And it was clear Jamie Carragher was not comfortable trying to pick up Michu’s run from deep midfield as he again operated in the withdrawn striker’s role.

So after a few pot shots, and Liverpool rarely threatening, the opening chance came when Pablo Hernandez at last had the time and inclination to take on makeshift full-back Jordan Henderson 26 minutes in. Played in behind the defence by Michu’s return pass but, with the shot on, a second touch from the Spaniard allowed Carragher to make a vital block.

On the half-hour, the next big chance came Swansea’s way as Allen – of all people – was robbed by Michu in the middle of the park, the visiting counter springing into life via Dyer and de Guzman before the Dutchman’s attempt to chip Brad Jones led to the bar being cleared.

Jones – in for the injured Pepe Reina – did need to make a save soon after when the impressive Ki stung his hands from the edge of the area.

And it was from the resulting 34th-minute corner that Chico’s moment came, rising to meet de Guzman’s delivery with Sebastian Coates lost.

The confidence oozed out of white shirts and Welsh voices, perhaps prompting the introduction of Messrs Gerrard and Suarez at the break.

With the frontline stars fresh and frustrated at seeing the hosts given the runaround on their own, hallowed turf, it was little surprise that Liverpool started the second half with a tempo and a threat that had been absent from the first 45 minutes.

But chances for Shelvey and Suarez were wasted as Williams held the backline firm before, with 65 minutes gone, Liverpool blew an opportunity to level that had the Kop wincing. Starting the move himself, Downing had the chance to finish it when a Gerrard drive went past Tremmel’s hands and onto the post, rebounding to the winger who promptly put it over.

If not for Brad Jones, Swansea would have made Liverpool pay as another Michu-led counter saw Hernandez twice denied at the near post before Michu’s two bites at the loose ball were blocked by the reserve stopper.

And so the scene was set, the colossal bravery of Williams’ blocking as a Liverpool free-kick threatened, Swansea turning nerves into nerveless attack as Michu and then Hernandez before Dyer slotted home in front of Anfield’s famed main end with 73 minutes gone.

‘We don’t need you any more’ was cheekily aimed at Rodgers from the away fans, although it seemed premature.

And as Suarez freely met a Gerrard free-kick with 13 minutes remaining, a reminder came that the script had not been finished.

Indeed, for all the scrambles in front of Gerhard Tremmel’s goal, fittingly the final say went Swansea’s way as de Guzman slid in Michu’s 93rd-minute cross and let the fans sing.

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.